Don’t call them “minorities” any more. Say “emerging majorities,” which has a much more felicitous ring. And don’t forget: We are all descended from “illegal aliens.”

These important life lessons are part of a compulsory “cultural sensitivity training” program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to its employees.

Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the watchdog group Judicial Watch came into possession of the teaching videos used by the department in its sessions. Financed by taxpayers, these sessions include instructing USDA employees to bang on tables, chanting in unison “The pilgrims were illegal aliens.”

The training is part of directive by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to address discrimination in the department and introduce more diversity. Toward this goal — described in a memo by Vilsack as ushering in a “new era of Civil Rights” and “a broader effort towards cultural transformation” — the department enlisted the services of Samuel Betances, of Souder, Betances, & Associates. The firm, which identifies itself as “Diversity Trainers & Consultants,” netted a cool $200,000 for its role in the “cultural transformation” program.

News of the exercise in political correctness was first reported by FOX News in October, 2012. The videos, which were never intended for a public airing, were released to JW today. One of them follows.

Howard Portnoy has written for HotAir, NewsBusters, Weasel Zippers, Conservative Firing Line, RedCounty, and New York’s Daily News. He has one published novel, Hot Rain, (G. P. Putnam’s Sons), and has been a guest on Radio Vice Online with Jim Vicevich, The Alana Burke Show, Smart Life with Dr. Gina, and The George Espenlaub Show.

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